Super sub pops up at the Whyte time
YOUGHAL UNITED 2-1 RATHCOOLE BOYS
William Downing from Ardrath Park

Youghal United's incredible season of Cup success is still powering full steam ahead following a pulsating victory over Leinster Senior League outfit Rathcoole Boys at Ardrath Park.

A goal down with half an hour to go, the Munster Senior League side produced another worthy comeback to book their place in the quarter-finals of the FAI Intermediate Cup, as Youghal continue to boldly go where no team from the club has gone before.

Amidst strong winds, heavy rain and a passed Saturday night pitch inspection, the soggy conditions actually improved the quality of the game, making the first half a lottery of sorts in a tie carried over from last weekend's postponed programme.

But despite this, only one goal emerged during the opening 45, which was down more to an expected penalty decision than the weather.

Diminutive Rathcoole striker David Tutty cracked home on the turn from the edge of the area after 25 minutes - the only man who played on after a suspected handball in the home penalty area.

The Dubliners could have gone head after just a dozen minutes, but 6'5" giant John Riordan could only head just over from 12 yards.

Both sides were forced into re-jigging their defensive lines following an unfortunate clash of heads six minutes into the second half as the hosts pressurised for an equaliser.

Rathcoole defender Mark Greeney clashed heads at a corner with United's Anthony Horgan, who was suffering from a heavy bout of flu going into the tie, with both having to come off suffering from head wounds which required stitches.

Rathcoole boss Mark Ennis, a former League of Ireland striker with experience in the colours of Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic, brought on defender Alfie Beehan for his injured party.

However, Youghal manager Davey O'Brien saw the opportunity for bringing on fresh legs up front in the shape of Alan Whyte, bringing midfielder Shane Corcoran back in a more defensive role as centre-back.

The contest turned on the hour, with the hosts awarded a penalty for handball.

Originally, referee Gene Stevens had whistled for a free-kick, but a quick consultation with assistant linesman Pat Clancy confirmed that the infringement had taken place inside the area.

Up stepped David Kearns to rifle home the equaliser from 12 yards, as Rathcoole keeper Paul Finnegan dived the wrong way.

The visitors seemed to suffer a distinct lack of concentration from there, allowing Whyte in for the winner just two minutes later.

A free-kick from the right from Kearns was fumbled by Finnegan, with supersub Whyte rifling home from close range.

Try as the Metropolitans might - and they did - they couldn't conjure an equaliser as they went the same way as fellow Dublin outfits Black Diamonds and Whitehall Rangers in falling at Ardrath Park in cup competition.

The result means Youghal United are included in both the live TV Harp Lager FAI Cup second round draw, and the last eight draw for the FAI Intermediate Cup, both of which will be made at Dublin's Green Isle Hotel on Monday night.